News from Thailand – December 9, 2013
Prime Minister Yingluck announced in a TV speech this morning that she will dissolve the House of Representatives so that new elections can be held. She will remain as head of the caretaker government until a new cabinet is formed.
Dissolving the House is not enough for action leader SuthepThaugsuban. The rallies continue until the 'Thaksin regime' has been eradicated root and branch.
– Four teenagers on two motorcycles tried Saturday night at the government complex on Chaeng Wattana road to attack anti-government demonstrators with Molotov cocktails and stones. They did not have much success, because only a Toyota Fortuner belonging to one of the demonstrators was damaged. Two bottles of gasoline were found.
– In the Northeast, the People's Council of the 20 Northeastern Provinces, an umbrella body of ten groups, has called on its members to go to Bangkok to strengthen the demonstrations there or to organize anti-Thaksin activities in their own province.
In Pichit province, 117 farmers will block the Pho Sai Ngam intersection on National Road 20. They are disappointed in the rice mortgage system because they have only received 117 percent of the guaranteed price for their surrendered rice. National Highway XNUMX is an important connection between Bangkok and the North.
In Chiang Mai, more than a thousand protesters boarded a bus to Bangkok yesterday. Countless people are also expected to travel to the capital with their own transport. A demonstration is being held today at Chiang Mai University. Three thousand people are expected.
In Phayao, a group of red-shirt opposition Democrats have called on themselves to disband as proof of their commitment to reforming politics.
– Only two foreign embassies have so far accepted the government's invitation to observe the actions of the riot police today. The embassies of Cambodia and Malaysia have agreed to send someone, other embassies are still considering.
The invitation was made yesterday by Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul, who heads the Center for the Administration of Peace and Order (Capo). He also invited the embassies for a briefing this morning at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Some [?] believe that the presence of foreign observers can be seen as an expression of support for the government.
The People's Democratic Reform Committee, which brings together various anti-government groups, has asked foreign media to attend today's events.
Member of Parliament Ong-art Klamplaiboon (Democrats) believes that Capo should not have invited the diplomats, because the situation could become dangerous. When that happens, the government will be held responsible, he says.
– Kanit na Nakorn, chairman of the Law Reform Commission, has called on police not to prosecute anti-government protest leaders. In the article 'When the justice system is used as a political tool' he expresses his concern about the arrest warrants issued against them.
Suthep already has an arrest warrant on his pants. He is accused of rebellion over the occupation of government buildings. Other protest leaders can also expect an arrest warrant.
Kanit argues in his article that there is a fine line between an act of rebellion and a political demonstration. Which of the two applies depends on the personal belief and attitude of an individual.
– Former Prime Minister Thaksin defends himself on his Facebook page against allegations that he is not loyal to the monarchy. He calls the allegations libel which is used by some individuals to gain power. Thaksin says he has never spoken a bad word about the royal family. “I am always the victim of a smear campaign and I feel bitter about it. Thai politics is cruel and cold-blooded.”
– In January, the tender for a uniform ticket system for the skytrain and metro and one for all types of buses will take place. The ultimate aim is to have one system for all forms of public transport, including taxis. The Ministry of Transport expects the development of the system to take between 24 and 30 months. [The article does not mention the train, so it will not be a public transport card like in the Netherlands.]
– Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will open the new and fourth Thai-Lao friendship bridge across the Mekong on Wednesday. The bridge connects the Chiang Khong district of Chiang Rai with Houay Xai in the Laotian province of Bokeo. The bridge has a length of 1,2 kilometers.
– Two schools, one at the Democracy Monument and the other at Government House, will keep their doors closed today due to the expected crowds. Other schools will first look at the situation today before deciding to close.
– A woman was killed and her husband injured when they were shot at in Sai Buri (Pattani). They were on their way home in a 7-Eleven van. Police found 21 bullet cartridges at the crime scene.
– Air travelers are advised to set off for Suvarnabhumi 4 hours before departure as traffic will be quite congested today due to nine marches of anti-government protesters. It is best to take the Airport Rail Link. The airport has set up a help center on the second floor for assistance and advice to travelers affected by the rallies.
– All 4.385 franchise buses and minibuses of the Transport Co, the state-owned company that provides interprovincial transport, will be equipped with GPS next year. Such a device will also be installed in 6.191 tankers that transport hazardous substances.
Transport Co's own 659 buses and 2.263 tankers transporting hazardous substances already have GPS. According to the Ministry of Transport, this has reduced the number of accidents and improved driver behavior.
Between October last year and August this year, the ministry's hotline recorded 24.454 complaints about taxis, 1.222 about buses in Bangkok. 2.803 on licensed buses and 1.462 on minibuses.
www.dickvanderlugt.nl – Source: Bangkok Post